NHS urges a 'now or never' vaccine warning to stay safe from a "quademic" this winter

Health leaders have issued a warning about the rapid increase in flu cases, urging eligible individuals to get their flu vaccination immediately. They emphasized the importance of taking up the free flu vaccination as soon as possible, as the NHS is preparing for a difficult winter.

Hospitals are currently facing a "quad-demic" with rising cases of flu, Covid-19, norovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The number of flu patients in hospitals has quadrupled compared to last year, with an average of 1,099 flu patients in hospital beds daily in the week leading up to December 1, including 39 in critical care.

Flu cases are currently highest among children aged five to 14, which could potentially lead to an increase in adult cases later on. Health officials are advising those eligible for the flu vaccine to get it now to protect themselves before Christmas.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, said:

“Flu cases are skyrocketing so it’s now or never for older people and children to get themselves jabbed and protected ahead of any family get-togethers they have planned over the festive period.

“Every Christmas we see far too many older adults and children admitted to hospital because of flu, and the best way to avoid this situation is getting your flu jab if you are eligible. The flu vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and it also helps to reduce pressure on hospitals and hard-working NHS staff who will be working flat out over the Christmas break.

“So I would urge anyone who’s eligible to add booking their flu jab to their list of things to do in the run-up to Christmas so they can protect themselves and their families this December.”

This as a record number of patients are filling hospital beds for this time of year due to various illnesses and injuries, with England's hospitals operating at about 95% capacity.

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, told BBC Breakfast:

“Quad-demic – it’s an awful word, but it does mean that we’ve got four different viruses running around at the moment – we’ve got flu, we’ve got Covid, we’ve got norovirus and RSV, and all of those coming together makes it incredibly challenging.”

 “We’ve seen a real rise in, a spike in, the number of children who are suffering from flu in particular, and often that’s a predictor of a later wave coming in adults. So it’s likely that we might see rising demand in adults further down the line.

“So yes, we are bracing ourselves, I think, for a challenging winter ahead.”